Get your tickets for the Pawsitive Payday Raffle presented by Hodgson Russ LLP and sponsored by Dual Print & Mail and help rescue and care for animals in need! Get one ticket for $10 or get three tickets for a steal at $25! Grab your tickets here or call Caitlin at 716-875-7360, ext. 230!
✨ Spread love and cheer this holiday season! ✨
Give the gift of hope to the animals at the SPCA! Honor a special person or pet with a Light of Love, and we’ll send a heartfelt card and a crocheted ornament on your behalf. These lights will illuminate our Adoptions Lobby with love, symbolizing the compassion in our community. Your contribution helps animals find a second chance at a happy, healthy life. Act fast, sales end on December 12!
Single light: $25 | String of 12 snowflake lights: $200
To order your lights, visit this page or call Caitlin at 716-875-7360, ext. 230.
Let’s light up animal lives together!
Scroll down for animal photos!
REHOME YOUR PET ON YOUR OWN….OR FIND THE ANIMAL YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
Life can take unexpected twists and turns. Sadly, this can sometimes mean that pet owners are forced to make the difficult and heartbreaking decision to part with their beloved pets.
To help owners who must make this decision, the SPCA has partnered with AdoptAPet.com’s Rehome program, offering free, courtesy pet listings with coupon code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z (be sure to record this code or you will be charged for your listing).
The Rehome program allows pet owners to take proactive steps in selecting the ideal homes for their pets, with representatives providing expert advice and guidance throughout the entire process.
With millions of potential adopters using AdoptAPet.com each month, pets find new homes quickly. That means pets never need to spend time adapting to a stressful shelter environment, and pet owners do not have to worry when organizations are at capacity, unable to accept their animals for rehoming. Plus, people who have been unsuccessful in finding a particular kind of pet through an organization may find what they’ve been waiting for right here!
Submit a pet for a Rehome listing
Rehome is offered as a courtesy to SPCA Serving Erie County patrons when coupon code RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z is entered.
The animals featured below are not at the SPCA Serving Erie County. The SPCA provides these listings as a courtesy to both people in need of rehoming pets and people seeking new pets. The SPCA cannot attest to, nor is it responsible for, the health or temperament of the animals listed. If you are interested in a pet, click on the accompanying photo to obtain further information from the current owner.
Join us in the Northtown Subaru showroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 to meet some of our adorable cats and dogs and find your new furry best friend!
Pre-approval is necessary, but it’s easy! Just bring your identification with your current address, and we’ll help you get started. And if you’re thinking about adopting a cat, please bring a cat carrier. Dog leashes, collars, and other supplies will be available for sale from our Petique!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet your best friend!
The SPCA Serving Erie County is excited to bring Vets & Pets back to the community for a limited time, generously sponsored by Nancy Haberman-Gacioch, a long-time friend of the SPCA!
During this event, adoption fees for most animals will be waived for individuals and immediate families of those on active duty, reserves, honorable discharge, as well as service-disabled veterans and retired military personnel.
Take advantage of this opportunity at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca location!
Photos of adoptable animals can be found here >>.
Adoption hours can be found here >>.
Military ID or DD214 will need to be presented. If an individual is currently serving outside of New York State, that individual’s spouse can adopt during Vets & Pets if a military spouse identification card is presented. Adopters can apply the Vets & Pets waived adoption fee promotion toward a total of two animals.
Please contact SPCA Adoptions Supervisor Mindy Ussrey with any questions: (716) 875-7360, ext. 210.
SPCA animal cruelty investigators say they are on track with the rising number of animal cruelty arrests this year as compared to last year’s exorbitant increase. October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, there were 13 animal cruelty arrests amidst hundreds of animal cruelty cases, nearly double the year prior, and this year’s numbers remain high. October 1, 2022, to July 17, 2023, there have already been seven animal cruelty arrests by the SPCA in Erie County. This year is different, however, in that more of these cases are felony cases. That means the circumstances are more severe and more complicated, with animals requiring much more care and attention with longer lengths of stay.
Types of cruelty cases include beating, abandonment, animals left outdoors in extreme heat without water or shelter, and animals living in unsanitary conditions.
The SPCA is seeing an increase in the number of cruelty cases due to the following situations: cost of living increases, uncared for mental health conditions, increases in substance abuse, and post-COVID-19 conditions including the expiration of the eviction moratorium and the return to in-person work. In addition, access to spay/neuter surgeries was extremely limited during the pandemic resulting in a severe overpopulation of dogs.
Reports of an increase in animal cruelty are not just coming from the United States. A January 2023 article from the World Animal Foundation states that in the United Kingdom, the rate of abuse of just dogs has risen by 16% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that, worldwide, animal cruelty complaints have increased by 55% in the past 10 years.
Care and housing for these animals most in-need and at-risk must be prioritized by our organization in terms of space, veterinary care, and resources. This, combined with adoptable dogs and cats who have been with the SPCA a prolonged period of time, means that kennels and cages are filled and the SPCA is close to reaching maximum capacity. We must continue animal cruelty investigations and rescues while continuing to provide the best care possible to the animals awaiting adoption, especially the longer-stay residents who require more time and attention to keep them mentally and emotionally stable despite extended stays in kennels and cages.
As we provide care for animals most in-need and at-risk, we may be forced to close animal admissions for an extended time. We can, however, still offer assistance to those seeking ways to keep their pets or provide community resources to those looking to surrender pets, to those who require veterinary care, and more.
In February, Emily faced a difficult decision and surrendered her beloved dog, Ranger, to the SPCA, knowing that it was the best course of action. Recent hardships, including the loss of a job and an apartment, made caring for Ranger difficult for Emily as he was undergoing costly skin issues that were becoming unmanageable. Emily knew the SPCA would give him the best possible veterinary care and find him a loving new home.
One day last week, Emily was at a park in the West Seneca/Buffalo area with her friends. As they strolled through the park, Emily was struck by a familiar bark that caught her attention right away. Intrigued, Emily quickened her group’s pace, wondering whether the source of the bark could possibly be Ranger. Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes as she drew nearer, and to her astonishment, it was indeed him! Overwhelmed with emotions, Emily couldn’t believe her eyes. Emily asked if the dog was Ranger and the new owners confirmed that it was him! The serendipitous reunion left everyone amazed by the remarkable coincidence.
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect was that this park was always a favorite spot for Emily and Ranger, because he loves the creek there!
Since the moment Ranger was surrendered, thoughts of him had frequently occupied Emily’s mind. However, seeing him in person once again was a deeply moving experience. Ranger was happy and he was larger, fluffier, and remarkably healthy! Emily expressed profound gratitude to the SPCA saying, “I want to thank the Erie County SPCA for taking the time to care for him and help place him into a good home.” She also extended a heartfelt thank you to Ranger’s new owners, acknowledging their commitment to providing him with a wonderful life. Ranger is an extraordinary dog, and although Emily misses him dearly, she wishes him and his new family all the best! #SPCACompassionInAction
Officer Lindsey Wood, a dedicated 19-year veteran of the SPCA, was checking a Facebook lost and found page Monday afternoon when she stumbled upon an unusual post. A woman was shocked when she discovered a 4-foot iguana perched in a tree in her backyard! Officer Wood responded, advising the woman that iguanas cannot thrive in our environment and suggested she call the SPCA for assistance.
Almost immediately, the homeowner called SPCA dispatch, and SPCA Officers Wood and Maleskis embarked on a mission to the Clifford Heights neighborhood in Amherst. Upon their arrival, they spotted the iguana luxuriating on a powerline. Aware of the potential hazards associated with powerlines, they promptly contacted National Grid US for guidance. Jeff Wagner from National Grid came out and kindly offered his expertise and reassured the officers that the iguana was situated on the phone lines, posing no immediate danger.
Encouraged by this information, they decided to attempt a rescue operation. It required an hour of hard work, and Officers Wood and Maleskis, accompanied by Mr. Wagner, successfully retrieved the iguana and secured it in a carrier!
Once safely retrieved, the SPCA officers brought the iguana to Dr. Hess at Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Hess conducted a thorough examination, revealing that the iguana, now named Clifford, was in good health and had not sustained any injuries. He is currently recuperating comfortably at the SPCA after his grand outdoor escapade.
The SPCA and Clifford extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their help in getting our new friend into safe hands! Their contributions exemplify the compassionate spirit of the SPCA! #SPCACompassionInAction